Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11313

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Shah AA, Finucane TE.
Yes, industry influence is excessive.
Int Psychogeriatr 2007 Aug 22; :2-8:
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1315592

Abstract:

The pharmaceutical industry has made significant contributions to the field of geriatric psychiatry. Drug treatment has improved the quality of life for many vulnerable patients suffering from burdensome psychogeriatric syndromes. We do not dispute here the contributions of the pharmaceutical industry to patient care. Rather, we describe how the industry, driven by the need to produce profits, has implemented conscious strategies to promote the prescribing and thus the sales of drugs, without regard to patients’ best interests. The industry has influenced the conduct and publication of research, and the promotion of drugs to physicians and patients, for purely marketing purposes.